New studies are showing that prismatic eyeglasses should be included in the overall therapy of certain Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) patients. Treatments include physical and occupational therapy, and medication(s).

Headaches, dizziness, neck pain and anxiety are common symptoms for many suffering from TBI including those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The study estimates that approximately 15 – 20% of men and women returning from war had these symptoms simply due to being near explosions. Another two million U.S. citizens suffer from TBI due to auto accidents, sports and falls.

This study brought to light the symptom of Visual Image Misalignment or Vertical Heterophoria. The eye muscles try to correct this misalignment causing them to become fatigued. The use of prismatic lenses showed a 71.8% reduction in symptoms of headaches, dizziness, neck pain and anxiety in about 3.5 months. This is a very significant percentage!

Mark S. Rosner, M.D.emergency department staff physician at Saint Joseph Mercy in Ann Arbor and adjunct clinical instructor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at The University of Michigan Medical School (also in Ann Arbor), was quoted in an article as saying: “Vision was known to be affected by TBI, but now it appears that the vision abnormalities caused by the TBI are causing the other post-concussive symptoms.” He also stated that, “This (prismatic eyeglasses) represents a new approach to the treatment of post-concussive symptoms.”

This treatment poses a welcome breakthrough for many who suffer from TBI. This study was self-funded and is referenced in the journal:

• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 10.1016/j.pmrj.2010.01.011.

For more information on Vertical Heterophoria go to: http://www.VSofB.com. You can also do a search on TBI at; http://www.sjmercyhealth.org (based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan).

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